Kentucky's Noel named SEC's top freshman, defensive player

Even though his season ended prematurely because of a torn ACL, University of Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel was so productive in 2012-13 that Southeastern Conference coaches voted him the league's Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.

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Florida's Billy Donovan was voted Coach of the Year after leading the Gators to the regular-season SEC title. Georgia sophomore Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was named Player of the Year.

Noel averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 24 games before injuring his left knee in a game Feb. 12 at Florida. Noel was scheduled to have surgeryTuesday on the torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Noel had 106 blocked shots and 50 steals to become just the second player in UK history to amass 100 or more blocked shots in a season. His 50 steals were the fifth-most by a Kentucky freshman in a single season.

The Everett, Mass., native is the fifth Wildcat to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors and the fourth consecutive honoree, joining Anthony Davis (2012), Terrence Jones (2011), DeMarcus Cousins (2010) and Patrick Patterson (2008). His honor as the Defensive Player of the Year is the third in school history. Davis (2012) and Chuck Hayes (2005) preceded him.

In winning the Sixth Man award, Wiltjer averaged 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. He's the second player in school history to win the award; Darius Miller did it last season.

LSU sophomore Anthony Hickey, Kentucky's 2011 Mr. Basketball from Christian County High School, was named to the SEC's All-Defensive Team.